Production and Consumption introduction

Introduction

European citizens consume a wide range of goods and services, delivered through a complex series of industrial, agricultural and transport systems. Pollution is an inevitable consequence of making the goods and providing the services that characterise our lifestyles. Potentially harmful releases to the environment associated with production and consumption include air pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (see the cross-cutting story on the co-benefits of addressing climate change and pollution), effluent discharges to water bodies, soils and waste, and burdens that are less well recognised, such as noise and light pollution. Releases can occur across every stage of economic activity — from raw material extraction to goods production, consumption and use, and waste material management.

Pollution associated with production and consumption can affect a particular location (‘point sources’) or be widely dispersed in the environment (‘diffuse pathways’). These emissions from production and consumption, along with accidental pollutant releases, result in harmful substances being discharged to the environment and affecting the health of flora, fauna and people. Environmental regulation plays an important role in helping manage emissions and waste in Europe; however, there is less certainty about the local environmental and health impacts of imported commodities and goods.

This section focuses on the sources of pollution, addressing the questions, ‘Who pollutes?’ and ‘Where does pollution come from?’ 

Sections of the production and consumption assessment:

 Resource extraction

 Production

 Consumption

 Waste management

 Production and consumption signals

The EU’s zero pollution action plan

The EU’s zero pollution action plan aims to address key pollution issues that negatively affect the environment and human health. It presents a vision for 2050 where pollution is reduced to the extent that it is no longer harmful. Prevention is one of the core principles underpinning the zero pollution action plan. By preventing pollution at its source, we can eliminate the risks to human health and the environment. Further information on the role of the EEA in zero pollution monitoring is available on the zero pollution monitoring home page.

Pollution and production and consumption: summary of findings

Figure 1 presents a summary of findings from the assessment of four sub-topics: resource extraction, production, consumption and waste management. Further information on each of these is presented in the relevant sections. A collection of zero pollution ‘Signals’ is also available; these provide supplementary information highlighting other important or emerging issues related to pollution from production and consumption. 

Figure 1. Summary analysis of zero pollution and production and consumption

Cover image source: © Mateo Puđa, Well with Nature /EEA